Photographed in 1906
Newspaper articles on Wilbur L. Jacks
Wilbur Jacks – EPID Board of Director (1918- 1921)
He helped originate the district with four other men. But shortly after, he was shot twice by Raleigh Matthews Sept. 21st, 1919 on Main St of Eagle Point. Jacks died at the local hospital from the wounds the next morning.
Ashland Daily Tidings:
Man is shot twice; Wife reported cause
Wilbur jacks is in critical condition
Rollie Matthews surrenders to sheriff and says duel was fought in Eagle Point
Medford, OR Sept 20th- Wilbur Jacks ex-Marshall of Eagle Point was taken to a Medford hospital in critical condition with two bullet holes in his body, and Rollie Matthews also of Eagle Point this morning. Bad blood has existed for the [last five years, according to Sherriff Terrill, over attentions Matthews was alleged to have paid Jacks wife. Matthews was on horseback at the time of the shooting.
Conflicting stories were told by both sides. After the shooting Matthews returned to his home, where he awaited the coming Sherriff Terrill and deputies, to whom he surrendered and handed over two revolvers saying: “this is my gun and that one is Wilburs”
Two empty cartridges were found in Matthews gun and one empty one and a snapped one in the gun Matthews said was Jacks.
While still conscious after the shooting, Jacks said to Sherriff Terrill: “There is no self –defense about it. He said he was going to shoot me, and I said, go ahead and do it. I don’t care.”
Jacks then collapsed without finishing his statement.
John Nichols, in front of whose place the shooting occurred, said he first heard loud talking, and then two shots and saw a revolver in Matthews’ hands and Jacks crawling over a wire fence and falling. Nichols, who is a relative of Jacks’’ by marriage, said Jacks had no gun.
He helped originate the district with four other men. But shortly after, he was shot twice by Raleigh Matthews Sept. 21st, 1919 on Main St of Eagle Point. Jacks died at the local hospital from the wounds the next morning.
Ashland Daily Tidings:
- Published September 21st , 1921
Man is shot twice; Wife reported cause
Wilbur jacks is in critical condition
Rollie Matthews surrenders to sheriff and says duel was fought in Eagle Point
Medford, OR Sept 20th- Wilbur Jacks ex-Marshall of Eagle Point was taken to a Medford hospital in critical condition with two bullet holes in his body, and Rollie Matthews also of Eagle Point this morning. Bad blood has existed for the [last five years, according to Sherriff Terrill, over attentions Matthews was alleged to have paid Jacks wife. Matthews was on horseback at the time of the shooting.
Conflicting stories were told by both sides. After the shooting Matthews returned to his home, where he awaited the coming Sherriff Terrill and deputies, to whom he surrendered and handed over two revolvers saying: “this is my gun and that one is Wilburs”
Two empty cartridges were found in Matthews gun and one empty one and a snapped one in the gun Matthews said was Jacks.
While still conscious after the shooting, Jacks said to Sherriff Terrill: “There is no self –defense about it. He said he was going to shoot me, and I said, go ahead and do it. I don’t care.”
Jacks then collapsed without finishing his statement.
John Nichols, in front of whose place the shooting occurred, said he first heard loud talking, and then two shots and saw a revolver in Matthews’ hands and Jacks crawling over a wire fence and falling. Nichols, who is a relative of Jacks’’ by marriage, said Jacks had no gun.
Medford , OR., Sept. 27th - Letters alleged to have been written by the principals in the Wig Jacks-Raleigh Matthews shooting tragedy at Eagle Point last Tuesday will be a link in the States chain of evidence and John Nichols, pioneer and father in law of slain man, will be one of the chief witnesses in coming trial.
Nichols is said to have been a witness to part of the quarrel, and to have viewed it from his front porch, corroborating in general detail the testimony of Harry Lewis, who saw the fatal flight while driving a wagon and team down the main street of Eagle Point. Nichols saw the shooting, and when Jacks leaped over the fence in his yard, is said to have raised his hand in a protest against further shooting by Matthews, whereupon the latter stopped and rode home.
Witnesses will also be called by the state to prove that Jacks, worries over the trend of his home life, appealed to Matthews to leave. The defense will likely produce witnesses to show Matthews unless he , “left the country in three days,” and also show that other, Including the Sherriff, were among those threatened. There will also be witnesses to show that he threatened to take his own life.
The Sentiment in Eagle Point in favor of Matthews is very strong and it is openly stated that if he is convicted a petition will be circulated at once, asking for his pardon. Raleigh Matthews was bound over to await the action of the grand jury at his preliminary hearing in justice of the peace Glenn O. Taylor’s court. Saturday Afternoon after Matthews’ attorney requested that the charge be reduced from second degree murder to manslaughter, so the defendant could be admitted to bail. Matthews was charged with the shooting of Wilber (Wig) Jacks at Eagle Point last Tuesday morning, and his attorney pleaded that if at liberty on bonds he could “get evidence for his trial”. None of his immediate relatives was in court, but many friends were present and extended a friendly greeting when returned to the county jail on the custody of the Sherriff.
- Published September 28th, 1921
Medford , OR., Sept. 27th - Letters alleged to have been written by the principals in the Wig Jacks-Raleigh Matthews shooting tragedy at Eagle Point last Tuesday will be a link in the States chain of evidence and John Nichols, pioneer and father in law of slain man, will be one of the chief witnesses in coming trial.
Nichols is said to have been a witness to part of the quarrel, and to have viewed it from his front porch, corroborating in general detail the testimony of Harry Lewis, who saw the fatal flight while driving a wagon and team down the main street of Eagle Point. Nichols saw the shooting, and when Jacks leaped over the fence in his yard, is said to have raised his hand in a protest against further shooting by Matthews, whereupon the latter stopped and rode home.
Witnesses will also be called by the state to prove that Jacks, worries over the trend of his home life, appealed to Matthews to leave. The defense will likely produce witnesses to show Matthews unless he , “left the country in three days,” and also show that other, Including the Sherriff, were among those threatened. There will also be witnesses to show that he threatened to take his own life.
The Sentiment in Eagle Point in favor of Matthews is very strong and it is openly stated that if he is convicted a petition will be circulated at once, asking for his pardon. Raleigh Matthews was bound over to await the action of the grand jury at his preliminary hearing in justice of the peace Glenn O. Taylor’s court. Saturday Afternoon after Matthews’ attorney requested that the charge be reduced from second degree murder to manslaughter, so the defendant could be admitted to bail. Matthews was charged with the shooting of Wilber (Wig) Jacks at Eagle Point last Tuesday morning, and his attorney pleaded that if at liberty on bonds he could “get evidence for his trial”. None of his immediate relatives was in court, but many friends were present and extended a friendly greeting when returned to the county jail on the custody of the Sherriff.
The Evening Herald – Klamath Falls, Oregon
Medford, Sept 21 – Wilbur Jacks , age 35 , is dead and Ralph Matthews, 23 is in jail here charged with murder, as the result of a quarrel which is said to have grown out of Matthews attention to Jacks wife from whom he was separated.
The shooting took place yesterday at Eagle Point. Jacks died at 10:20 this morning in the Sacred Heart Hospital here. He was wounded in the back and side. Matthews claims that he shot in self-defense.
Bad feeling is said to have existed between the two men, culminating yesterday in Matthews’ alleged challenge to jacks to “come out in the desert with me and we’ll settle it once for all”. When Jacks refused to go with him his foe is alleged to have jerked forth a revolver and shot him.
- Wednesday , Sept 21, 1921
Medford, Sept 21 – Wilbur Jacks , age 35 , is dead and Ralph Matthews, 23 is in jail here charged with murder, as the result of a quarrel which is said to have grown out of Matthews attention to Jacks wife from whom he was separated.
The shooting took place yesterday at Eagle Point. Jacks died at 10:20 this morning in the Sacred Heart Hospital here. He was wounded in the back and side. Matthews claims that he shot in self-defense.
Bad feeling is said to have existed between the two men, culminating yesterday in Matthews’ alleged challenge to jacks to “come out in the desert with me and we’ll settle it once for all”. When Jacks refused to go with him his foe is alleged to have jerked forth a revolver and shot him.
Capital Journal- Salem Oregon:
Matthews is charged with Killing Jacks
Raleigh Matthews , 23 year old farmer, was held responsible, by a corober’s jury Thursday, for the death of Wilbur Jacks at Eagle Point Tuesday in a shooting affair, and a preliminary hearing on the charge if second degree murder will be given accused man before justice Taylor next Thursday morning. Charles Reames, brother of Clarence Reames, ex district attorney has been retained as counsel for defense.
Matthews was given his liberty on $5000 bonds the day of the shooting and was rearrested Wednesday evening at his father’s home after devoting the day to shucking corn and riding the range for cattle.
The funeral services of Jacks were held this morning, his mother, Mrs Francis E. Mimmick , resides at Central Point. He leaves a widow, over whose affections it is alleged the shooting was caused, and three children.
It developed that fist fights between Jacks and Matthews last winter were over a young woman, heretofore not mentioned in the case. Feeling between the two men is said to have raged for five years. The sheriff said he had warned both men against packing six shooters”
- Friday , Sept 23, 1921
Matthews is charged with Killing Jacks
Raleigh Matthews , 23 year old farmer, was held responsible, by a corober’s jury Thursday, for the death of Wilbur Jacks at Eagle Point Tuesday in a shooting affair, and a preliminary hearing on the charge if second degree murder will be given accused man before justice Taylor next Thursday morning. Charles Reames, brother of Clarence Reames, ex district attorney has been retained as counsel for defense.
Matthews was given his liberty on $5000 bonds the day of the shooting and was rearrested Wednesday evening at his father’s home after devoting the day to shucking corn and riding the range for cattle.
The funeral services of Jacks were held this morning, his mother, Mrs Francis E. Mimmick , resides at Central Point. He leaves a widow, over whose affections it is alleged the shooting was caused, and three children.
It developed that fist fights between Jacks and Matthews last winter were over a young woman, heretofore not mentioned in the case. Feeling between the two men is said to have raged for five years. The sheriff said he had warned both men against packing six shooters”
Morning Oregonian:
Woman Witness Tells of Quarrel in the Street.
Matthews Bound Over
Preliminary Hearing is held at Medford as result of killing at Eagle Point
Medford, OR. Sept. 24 –
Sensational testimony was given by Mrs. Lottie Van Scoy at the preliminary hearing the afternoon on justice of the peace Taylor’s court during the trial of Raleigh Matthews, famer boy, charged with second degree murder for fatal shooting of Wilbur Jacks at Eagle Point last Tuesday morning. Matthews was bound over to await action of the grand jury, after a plea of his attorney, Charles Reames, to reduce the charge to manslaughter had been denied. The Defense called to witnesses.
Mrs. Van Scoy , at whose home jacks was a lodger and who was called as a state’s witness, said that she was on her back yard when her attention was attracted by loud talking. She went to the front of the house and saw jacks standing on the sidewalk and Matthews in the road astride his horse.
Jacks reported cursing:
She testified that Jacks was cursing and throwing rocks at Mathews and she heard youth say : I’m not looking for trouble.” Jacks replied, she testified, I’m the man that looking for trouble. I ran you eight miles yesterday and I’ll get you yet. Go ahead and shoot; you’re a too big a coward to shoot.”
She testified she heard Matthews say : “ get out from in front of that house and I’ll show you whether I’m afraid to soot or not”
Mrs. Van Scoy also testified that Jacks words were interspersed with curses, and that the men moved up and down the street, back and forth, and shortly afterwards she heard a revolver discharged several times. She also said her view was obstructed by a pine tree.
Witness is mentioned:
Asked by the state if she bore any like or dislike for Jacks she said:” I always spoke to the men when I met him. I had no reason to like or dislike him”
Harry Lewis, a resident of Eagle Point , testified that he drove a wagon by the scene of the crime, just before the shooting and that he saw the two men with Jacks on the sidewalk and Matthews on his horse. He spoke to he two and drove his wagon between them, When a short distance down the road he heard a shot and turned around to see Jacks running down the sidewalk, holding his stomach with his hands.
He testified he saw Matthews riding seven or eight feet from Jacks and shooting, He said the defendant fired two shots and then after running 40 or 50 yards jacks jumped over a fence into john Nichols’ heard, lying on his back, and that he jumped up at once. The witness testified he heard another shot.
Matthews Ride home.
Matthews then turned his horse around and rode towards home. Lewis testified positively that Jacks did not have a gun and that both his hands were clasped about his stomach and that he was running as fast as he could he denied that he had told attorney Reames on a visit ti Eagle Point after the death of Jacks that he was not sure whether he had a gun or not.
He admitted that he had told a crowd of Eagle Point residents that he had driven his team hard at the first shot. The truth, he said, is that he had urged his team out of trot they were maintaining when the trouble started.
The witness was questioned at great length by both sides relative to hi memory of time after he said that the entire episode had not taken more than a minute. District attorney Moore used his watch to test the reliability of the witness on the point, and found that he fixed nine seconds as the actual time between the first and second shots, after he had testified that 10 or 15 seconds had elapsed.
Mrs. Eva Nichols testified that on the morning she was attracted by loud swearing and talking on the street, and went out on the from yard, and brought her little girl into the house. She said she saw Jacks and Matthews, the latter on horseback , in the street and that they passed out of her line of vision when she heard the first shot, and the others in rapid succession.
A large number of Eagle Point People attended the hearing and shook hands with the boy.
Murder Trial is Begun
Jury being selected at Medford in Raleigh Matthews Case.
Medford, OR. Nov. 7 – (Special)
Raleigh Matthews, young farmer, went on trial this morning charged with second degree murder for the alleged fatal shooting of Wilber Jacks at Eagle point last September, and a tenseness marked the unusual calm atmosphere of the circuit court. The task of selecting the jurors proceeded slowly all day.
The defense is represented by Charles Reames and A.E. Reames and the state by district Attorney Moore.
The shooting occurred in Eagle Point last September and Wilbur Jacks died the following day from bullet wounds. The affray was the culmination of a feud of long standing and every phase of the tragedy will be revealed at the trial. More than 100 witnesses will be called to testify
Matthews is Acquitted
Jury finds Jackson County Farmer not Guilty
Plea of Self-Defense is slaying of Wilbur Jacks is Upheld in 12 minute Verdict.
Medford, OR. Nov. 12 - Special)
A verdict of not guilty was reached on the Matthews second degree murder case early this evening after the jury had been out just 12 minutes, thus ending one of the most interesting trial in the history of Jackson County. Raleigh Matthews, the young farmer who pleaded self-defense in the killing of Wilbur Jacks at Eagle Point last September, and his friends were overjoyed at the verdict. Which was not unexpected by the public in view of the fact of it having been proved conclusively at the trail that Jacks repeatedly had threatened to take the life of Matthews and had said that one or the other must die.
One of the witnesses was john Nichols, highly respected pioneer of the Eagle Point District, known to hundreds of Southern Oregon folk as “Uncle John.” Who took the stand for defense today and told of threats made by his son in law, Jacks against the life of the defendant. “Uncle John” testified that last spring Jacks had shown him an automatic pistol during a conversation, with the remark:” I am going to kill Raleigh Matthews, then I will kill Charlie Terrill when he comes to arrest me, and then I’m going to kill myself
- Published : Sunday, September 25, 1921
Woman Witness Tells of Quarrel in the Street.
Matthews Bound Over
Preliminary Hearing is held at Medford as result of killing at Eagle Point
Medford, OR. Sept. 24 –
Sensational testimony was given by Mrs. Lottie Van Scoy at the preliminary hearing the afternoon on justice of the peace Taylor’s court during the trial of Raleigh Matthews, famer boy, charged with second degree murder for fatal shooting of Wilbur Jacks at Eagle Point last Tuesday morning. Matthews was bound over to await action of the grand jury, after a plea of his attorney, Charles Reames, to reduce the charge to manslaughter had been denied. The Defense called to witnesses.
Mrs. Van Scoy , at whose home jacks was a lodger and who was called as a state’s witness, said that she was on her back yard when her attention was attracted by loud talking. She went to the front of the house and saw jacks standing on the sidewalk and Matthews in the road astride his horse.
Jacks reported cursing:
She testified that Jacks was cursing and throwing rocks at Mathews and she heard youth say : I’m not looking for trouble.” Jacks replied, she testified, I’m the man that looking for trouble. I ran you eight miles yesterday and I’ll get you yet. Go ahead and shoot; you’re a too big a coward to shoot.”
She testified she heard Matthews say : “ get out from in front of that house and I’ll show you whether I’m afraid to soot or not”
Mrs. Van Scoy also testified that Jacks words were interspersed with curses, and that the men moved up and down the street, back and forth, and shortly afterwards she heard a revolver discharged several times. She also said her view was obstructed by a pine tree.
Witness is mentioned:
Asked by the state if she bore any like or dislike for Jacks she said:” I always spoke to the men when I met him. I had no reason to like or dislike him”
Harry Lewis, a resident of Eagle Point , testified that he drove a wagon by the scene of the crime, just before the shooting and that he saw the two men with Jacks on the sidewalk and Matthews on his horse. He spoke to he two and drove his wagon between them, When a short distance down the road he heard a shot and turned around to see Jacks running down the sidewalk, holding his stomach with his hands.
He testified he saw Matthews riding seven or eight feet from Jacks and shooting, He said the defendant fired two shots and then after running 40 or 50 yards jacks jumped over a fence into john Nichols’ heard, lying on his back, and that he jumped up at once. The witness testified he heard another shot.
Matthews Ride home.
Matthews then turned his horse around and rode towards home. Lewis testified positively that Jacks did not have a gun and that both his hands were clasped about his stomach and that he was running as fast as he could he denied that he had told attorney Reames on a visit ti Eagle Point after the death of Jacks that he was not sure whether he had a gun or not.
He admitted that he had told a crowd of Eagle Point residents that he had driven his team hard at the first shot. The truth, he said, is that he had urged his team out of trot they were maintaining when the trouble started.
The witness was questioned at great length by both sides relative to hi memory of time after he said that the entire episode had not taken more than a minute. District attorney Moore used his watch to test the reliability of the witness on the point, and found that he fixed nine seconds as the actual time between the first and second shots, after he had testified that 10 or 15 seconds had elapsed.
Mrs. Eva Nichols testified that on the morning she was attracted by loud swearing and talking on the street, and went out on the from yard, and brought her little girl into the house. She said she saw Jacks and Matthews, the latter on horseback , in the street and that they passed out of her line of vision when she heard the first shot, and the others in rapid succession.
A large number of Eagle Point People attended the hearing and shook hands with the boy.
- Published Tuesday November 8th, 1921
Murder Trial is Begun
Jury being selected at Medford in Raleigh Matthews Case.
Medford, OR. Nov. 7 – (Special)
Raleigh Matthews, young farmer, went on trial this morning charged with second degree murder for the alleged fatal shooting of Wilber Jacks at Eagle point last September, and a tenseness marked the unusual calm atmosphere of the circuit court. The task of selecting the jurors proceeded slowly all day.
The defense is represented by Charles Reames and A.E. Reames and the state by district Attorney Moore.
The shooting occurred in Eagle Point last September and Wilbur Jacks died the following day from bullet wounds. The affray was the culmination of a feud of long standing and every phase of the tragedy will be revealed at the trial. More than 100 witnesses will be called to testify
- Published November 21st, 1921
Matthews is Acquitted
Jury finds Jackson County Farmer not Guilty
Plea of Self-Defense is slaying of Wilbur Jacks is Upheld in 12 minute Verdict.
Medford, OR. Nov. 12 - Special)
A verdict of not guilty was reached on the Matthews second degree murder case early this evening after the jury had been out just 12 minutes, thus ending one of the most interesting trial in the history of Jackson County. Raleigh Matthews, the young farmer who pleaded self-defense in the killing of Wilbur Jacks at Eagle Point last September, and his friends were overjoyed at the verdict. Which was not unexpected by the public in view of the fact of it having been proved conclusively at the trail that Jacks repeatedly had threatened to take the life of Matthews and had said that one or the other must die.
One of the witnesses was john Nichols, highly respected pioneer of the Eagle Point District, known to hundreds of Southern Oregon folk as “Uncle John.” Who took the stand for defense today and told of threats made by his son in law, Jacks against the life of the defendant. “Uncle John” testified that last spring Jacks had shown him an automatic pistol during a conversation, with the remark:” I am going to kill Raleigh Matthews, then I will kill Charlie Terrill when he comes to arrest me, and then I’m going to kill myself
